NEW LAW TAKES AIM AT UNLICENSED HOME CONTRACTORS
County Board Authorizes Consumer Protection Department to Seize Vehicles and Tools Used by Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractors; Civil Penalties Also Increased
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2007
At its meeting last night, the County Board of Legislators adopted legislation that authorizes the county's Consumer Protection Department (CPD) to seize vehicles and tools used by unlicensed home improvement businesses. The law also increases civil penalties from $1000 for a first violation to $10,000 for a third and any subsequent violation within a ten year period.
“It is important that homeowners in Westchester County have the peace of mind that the people they bring in to work on their homes are responsible professionals," said Legislator Vito Pinto (D-Tuckahoe), Chairman of the Legislation Committee.
He continued, "It's the homeowner who gets stuck if he or she gives a deposit to someone who takes off without doing the work or who uses material that doesn't stand up. We hope the new enforcement rules will provide more meaningful deterrence and that unlicensed home improvement contractors get the message that they're not welcome in Westchester."
According to CPD, approximately 1,200 home improvement contractors are conducting business without a license. This number represents approximately 15% of all home improvement contractors in the county. Some of these unlicensed businesses are ineligible for a license due to significant criminal convictions, previous trade license suspensions or revocations and/or outstanding business judgments. Others simply wish to avoid liability and workers' compensation insurance requirements, leaving homeowners without the protections afforded by the county's licensing requirements.
CPD indicates that some of the most serious complaints of shoddy substandard work or failure to perform any work at all involve unlicensed home improvement contractors.
The legislation shall take effect thirty days after it is signed into law.
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